British Army insignia

Discussion in 'WW2 Militaria' started by Smudge, Oct 29, 2010.

  1. Smudge

    Smudge Member

    Hi all

    Can someone confirm the following please...or not if I've gotten it wrong?

    Infantry Arm of Service Strips (AoSS) were introduced in 1940

    Regimental shoulder titles; these were introduced in 1943 and were worn on the top of both BD sleeves but not on greatcoats. The badge, for infantry regiments, was a curved strip of red material with white letters (usually abbreviated titles) and was unique to the various regiments the division’s battalions belonged to...any anomolies to this? Prior to this were slip on titles worn on the shoulder epaulettes?

    Infantry Division formation badges were introduced in 1941

    Ta

    Smudge
     
  2. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    Hi all

    Can someone confirm the following please...or not if I've gotten it wrong?

    Infantry Arm of Service Strips (AoSS) were introduced in 1940

    Regimental shoulder titles; these were introduced in 1943 and were worn on the top of both BD sleeves but not on greatcoats. The badge, for infantry regiments, was a curved strip of red material with white letters (usually abbreviated titles) and was unique to the various regiments the division’s battalions belonged to...any anomolies to this? Prior to this were slip on titles worn on the shoulder epaulettes?

    Infantry Division formation badges were introduced in 1941

    Ta


    Smudge

    Think formation signs were introduced earlier than 1941....didn't the 51st Highland Divison at least wear them when they were almost captured en masse in France in 1940.....think there are photos of prisoners wearing it.....
     
  3. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    You have the description right. I have a picture of my 1944 uniform on an old computer...Don't know if I can retrieve it
     
  4. Smudge

    Smudge Member

    Thanks Sapper...i'd like to see that picture if you can retrieve it at all.

    Airborne Medic; I'm pretty sure on the dates but there were a few unofficial formation signs early war I think...and The Highlanders and unofficial seem to go together well in one sentence. I'm sure they were one of the culprits ignoring the ACI's of the time and helped force the introductions of later 'official' insignia.

    Smudge
     
  5. Capt Bill

    Capt Bill wanderin off at a tangent

    Army Council Instruction 2587 of 1941 laid down that the wearing of regimental designations was limited to the Household Cavalry and the Foot Guards

    ACI 2816 dated 31 Oct 1943 stated that this provision was extended to the wearing of the word AIRBORNE by the Airborne Division, and APTC by the Army Physical Training Corps.

    CO's were advised to take immediate action to have removed all 'irregularities' from uniforms ie unauthorised regimental insignia etc



    ACI 905, dated 12 Jun 1943 'Dress - Distinguising Marks to be worn at home'laid down the rules for the use of regimental designations, formation badges, arm-of-service strips, regimental flashes, rank badge backing and slip on shoulder titles approved to be worn on uniform at home.


    (sourceBritish Army Uniforms and INsignia of World Ward 2, Brian L Davis, p103)
     
  6. Smudge

    Smudge Member

    Thanks Capt Bill

    Thats the ACI I was using I just need it confirming. Brian Davies book is great but quite deep I wanted to make sure I was on the right track.

    Ta

    Smudge
     
    Capt Bill likes this.

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